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How to Use Broken Tiles to Achieve a Mosaic Back Splash In Your Kitchen

Tile adds beauty, durability and value to any home. This mosaic tiled back splash is low cost but very time consuming, allow an entire week of on and off work.

This was my first home improvement project that I have ever completed, so yes, a beginner can do it. Prepare yourself for many compliments! The end result is well worth the time and effort you put forth.

1.) Prepare the kitchen back splash for laying the tile. Remove old wallpaper, tile and any other wall material to get down to the plaster. Clean, dry and Spackle any wall imperfections.

2.) Break the tiles by laying an old towel outdoors on concrete. Fold the towel in half length wise and place an individual tile upside down to prevent chipping on tile. Fold the towel over the tile. Put on safety glasses. Using a hammer, strike the covered tile with medium force. Vary the size and shape of the tile pieces by repeating this process.

3.) If you are using various colored tiles for your project you will want to sort them into separate colored piles. Sorting the colors will save you time when you are searching for the exact piece you need.

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4.) Start your tiling project by using an outer wall edge. Locate various colored pieces of tile with a straight edge. Using a small spackling knife to apply a thick, even amount of ceramic tile adhesive direct onto the back of each tile.

5.) When applying the tile to the wall, line each tiles straight edge tight up to the outer wall edge and push firmly to the wall. This will create a clean wall edge line and a firm grip to the wall. Continue with the entire outside edge and then work your way inside, just like a jigsaw puzzle. Fitting each of the pieces within 1/16″ to ½” of each other for grouting purposes. All electrical outlets, switch plates and edges should be done in the same manner as an outside wall. See picture.

6.) Once each tile piece has been laid out and adhered to the wall go back over the entire wall and look for any gaps that could be larger than 1/16″ or ½”. If there are gaps you can just break a few smaller pieces of tile and adhere them to the spots. Wait 24-36 hours for the ceramic tile adhesive to dry.

7.) Spread out a plastic drop cloth under the area you will be grouting. Determine if you have porous tile, which simply means, will it absorb moisture. If your tile is porous, then you will need to take a sponge and wet down your tile before you can grout. Wetting down your tile will keep the grout from staining your tile.

<A HREF=”http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?rt=tf_cw&ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fnikkilynndesi-20%2F8010%2F4314f8b0-a2d5-4788-b07a-02acc283920d&Operation=NoScript”>Amazon.com Widgets</A>8.) Work in small sections at a time, taking care to wet the tile before grouting each section. Put on rubber or latex gloves to keep the grout from staining your hands. Using a rubber tile float apply a generous amount of grout to a small area of tile. Spread the grout out across the tiles holding the float at a 45 degree angle on your first pass. To remove excess and push the grout into the cracks hold the float at a 90 degree angle using the edge of the float when coming back across the tile. Just take care to be sure each crack is filled in all the way, evenly, with no air bubbles.

9.) After applying the grout to your small area there should only be a small amount of grout left on the tile. Wait about 5 minutes for the grout to set a little then take a damp sponge and go over the tile using a circular motion. This will leave only a little hazing effect. Leave this effect on your tile and let it cure for 4-5 hours. Continue in this manner until your entire wall sections are done.

10.) After 4-5 hours take a kitchen pot type scrubber and straight vinegar to remove the haze from each individual tile. With a little scrubbing and the vinegar the haze comes off. Buff the tile with a clean, dry, white towel.

11.) Caulk to seal the area between the cupboard and the tile using clear caulk after the grout has cured 24 hours.

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This blog is a good source of information. I designed my bathroom backsplash using your How to Use Broken Tiles to Achieve a Mosaic Back Splash, my project turned out wonderful. I have received many compliments.

I’m really glad that you’ve created your own website and have exposed the world to your thoughts and talents. I love your work and feel I can relate to what you’ve done. Many folks can’t even imagine having such talent. I hope that you know how lucky you are. Good luck to you in all your endeavors.

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I want to thank you for this fantastic read!! I was looking to do something different with my kitchen and this looks easy enough to do without breaking the bank. It is something I can work on in steps, which is what I needed.

Amazing! This would be a way to salvage some of the tiles from old jobs that I do. I could repurpose them to achieve this look in kitchens and baths. Would you mind me using your pictures to show clients what can be done?

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2.) Half hazard person by nature. For better or worse, I own that mad skill. I will complete everything I start....eventually.

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